Frost dates for 75118Elmo, TX
The average last spring frost in Elmo is March 16 and the average first fall frost is November 14, giving a typical growing season of about 243 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 16
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 14
- Growing season
- 243 days
Safer after Apr 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 19 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 12 · Apr 1 · Apr 20 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 218 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 16 · Apr 5 | Oct 31 · Nov 14 · Dec 3 | 243 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 8 · Mar 4 · Mar 22 | Nov 7 · Nov 27 · Dec 15 | 267 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elmo
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Apr 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Jul 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Jul 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Jan 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – May 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 4 – Dec 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 75118 is matched to the NOAA station Kaufman 3 Se, TX, 5.3 km away, at 420 ft elevation (20 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaufman 3 Se, TX (used) | 420 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 14 |
| Terrell Muni Ap, TX | 475 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 18 |
| Wills Pt, TX | 520 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 21 |
| Ferris, TX | 470 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 19 |
Frost dates near Elmo
- Kaufman, TX 75142 · last Mar 16, first Nov 14
- Crandall, TX 75114 · last Mar 16, first Nov 14
- Scurry, TX 75158 · last Mar 16, first Nov 14
- Terrell, TX 75160 · last Mar 11, first Nov 18
- Rosser, TX 75157 · last Mar 16, first Nov 14
- Forney, TX 75126 · last Mar 11, first Nov 18
- Seagoville, TX 75159 · last Mar 12, first Nov 19
- Mesquite, TX 75181 · last Mar 12, first Nov 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elmo, TX?
- For ZIP code 75118, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kaufman 3 Se, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 5.
- When is the first frost in Elmo, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 75118?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 243 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.